Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! I was so grateful I had some green in one of my scarves, otherwise I would have been very bruised today from all the pinching ;) Just wanted to wish my Uncle Pat and Uncle Kurt a very happy birthday as well!
I hit my year mark on Thursday, and although it was just another day on the mission, it was incredible to be reminded that I have been out that long and all that has happened this last year. Honestly, as I reflect on a year ago, it seems like a lifetime ago! My time in Twin Falls seems like a whole other mission (maybe because it is now haha). I am so grateful for the experiences that I have, though, and am so blessed with all the people that I have met along the way. In this past year, I have seen 8 individuals baptized that I was able to teach and how special that has been. These people will forever have a special place in my heart and have become dear friends. I have had 7 companions, including the ones I have now, and have learned SO much from them! I know that people are placed into our lives for a reason and I know that all these sisters and I were meant to serve at this particular time and to be able to serve with each other as well. I have just grown so much, yet I am still me. Just a better version. I have a better understanding of who I am and who I can become.
This week, I was on a couple of exchanges, so I didn't really feel like I did much in my own area, but it was great to work with other sisters in their areas. This time around as a Sister Training Leader, I am over 7 other companionships and so I am having to go on about 2 exchanges a week to cover each companionship. I love it though because I feel like I really get to know the other sisters better this way than just talking to them on the phone. They are all so amazing and teach me so much. We were able to see lots of miracles happen and have many teaching opportunities. One tuesday, I went with another sister (Sister Molbek from Denmark) to her area and there was a lady that we went to see from the ward. She is active but has struggled with drinking coffee for the past 20 years. Her husband recently died and they were never able to be sealed in the temple and that is something she desires now more than ever, since he has passed away. However, the only thing holding her back is that coffee. She has tried before but hasn't been able to just throw away the coffee maker and gets headaches when she skips out. The sisters had been really encouraging her and even got her a picture of the temple to put near the coffee maker as her motivator. I saw her on Sunday as our wards meet at the same building and she shared with me her amazing experience. The day after we saw her, every time she walked by her coffee maker, she got this impression to throw it away. After about 4 promptings, she finally decided to take it out back to the trash can. As she went to put it in, another prompting came into her mind that she needed to throw it in so that it would break, otherwise she could just pick it out later if she changed her mind. She did this and it broke into about 5 pieces. She said she felt so good after, and although she is still bearing through the withdrawal headaches, she is happy and and staying strong! It was just incredible to hear the faith of this woman and what she was willing or not willing to allow to get in her way of greater blessings than just a coffee fix.
We had a tender mercy in our own area just yesterday. Saturday, we fasted as we are hoping to help those we are working with take it to the next step and felt that fasting would give it that extra boost. Because the weather has been so nice, we decided to walk to church (about a 20 minute walk). On our way home, we were passing a house where there was a family that we had been trying to meet from the ward who have not been as active, but had claimed they wanted to. Unfortunately, every time we had tried to visit before, no one had been at home. This time though, we noticed that the garage door was opened and a car was inside. Sister Emmett turned to Sister Roberson and I and asked if we should try and we said, "sure, why not!". So we did, and a mid-aged lady answered the door. She quickly told us that now was not a good time, but that she was having to unpack. We said that we could help her if she wanted and she agreed to let us in. We quickly learned that the family we thought lived there had just moved out and she had just moved in yesterday. She told us her name was Lisa and then shared with us the many things she's been through: diagnosed with MS at 36 years old, having her house taken from under her and never seeing a dime of it, and other trials. We were amazed to hear all that she's been through. A neat thing though was that she shared with us how she's been praying for 2 years to be placed where she needs to be and as she came here yesterday, she got an overwhelming feeling that this was it. We helped her to find her dishware as they had just packed everything up for her and done a terrible job labeling. And just talked more about our lives and hers. She was so appreciative of our service as with the MS it's really hard for her to get around and lift heavy things and was so grateful that we offered to come back and help her unpack more. We left feeling like this was an opportunity to serve this wonderful woman and help her strengthen her relationship with God and find more peace in her life. With must prayer and fasting, miracles DO happen! Heavenly Father is aware and hears and answers our prayers in HIS time and in HIS way.
I am so so so grateful for these experiences I am having. I could not get this anywhere else. I would not have been able to meet all these amazing people and see the blessings come from serving each other. I am grateful for the guidance that Heavenly Father continues to give each of us. If we do our part, He will always do His. That is His promise. Sometimes the right way does not seem like the easy way, but it is the way that will liberate us and give us those blessings that effect us eternally. Sometimes we take the wrong path, not quite sure which way we're supposed to go, but He quickly guides us and reassures when we are on the right path. I love you all so much!
Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Wightman
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